Need some answers or information of trying to find 'real cause'

[MommytoB]

Well, when a mom states she's going to circ her son because she got infections from her ex who has a foreskin and when she was circ'ed men she never got any infections.

So there were no specifics of how her 'ex took care of himself' so I was like trying to figure out what the 'real cause could be because we know foreskin isn't the 'cause of the infections in other people because if it was the whole overseas party of the country would be whining and complaining of these issues.

So I had an intact partner whose my ex and no infections. I got plenty of UTI's when I got pregnant .

My ex would do the three R's Never Use Soap because his skin was so senstive to everything .


So now I'm thinking could a intact guy soap up on the outer part of his foreskin adding along with the glans part too that leaves one or both areas not getting the soap washed off totally a possiblity that dried up soap with fluids is the 'actual cause of infections .

Or do some women act different to a male's ejactulation as in be more senstive to one than the other ?

[vachi73]

Sorry to be dense here, but I'm not sure what you mean by "infections." Do you mean UTI (bladder/urinary infections), or vaginal infections (e.g., anything from yeast to bacterial vaginosis to an STD)?

In the case of UTI, I *think* that the more common "causes" are (a) cross-contamination from fecal matter (e.g., wiping back-to-front after a bowel movement), and (b) physical shape of particular bodies (e.g., the actual shape/connection of urethra and bladder making it more difficult to fully empty the bladder). Pregnancy can cause a temporary change in shape/connection (similar to (b) above) that can make UTIs more common, compounded by changes in flora and fauna in the vagina due to hormonal changes.

That said, however, there is something to be said for "Honeymoon cystitis" - or UTI on the honeymoon (which I was unfortunate enough to get!) - thought to be linked to frequent intercourse causing irritation to the urethra. From there, normally occurring bacteria (from the skin of either partner, including from the penis) invade the urethra and swim up to the bladder, and presto - UTI.

As for getting the UTI from the partner because of his circ status ... himmm. Not sure about that one. Obvioulsy, if he had an active infection in the foreskin, it's plausible ... but color me skeptical, I guess. I don't think it would be more or less likely solely based on being circ'd, but someone else may have a better answer to that.

As for cleaning an intact penis, water is all I've ever heard to use.

I am the first response here, and will probably be proven to have the LEAST useful info - good luck!

[tutucrazy]

Both intact men and circed men can carry yeast and show no symptom. If this was the infection she was referring to, then her argument makes no sense. In fact a circed man is less likely to show symptoms of yeast which means he keeps passing it to his partner without knowing.

65% of all women's infections are bacterial in nature. These infections are not sexually transmitted! The primary cause of bacterial vaginosis is a bacteria called gardnerella which is not sexually trasmitted. Women that get a bacterial infection are highly likely to experience a repeat infection. (I know this based on personal experience and research). Women who engage in oral and digital sex are more likely to get bacterial infections.

As far as UTI goes.... all women should urinate after intercourse. This should be standard for women with BOTH intact and circed partners. This eliminates the chance of UTI b/c the sterile urine flushes out the urethral opening.

Her argument is based on ignorance and assumptions.

[MeganS]

I don't have any info based on research... However I had a partner for 2 years that was circ'ed and I had countless UTI's and yeast infections. I have been with my husband, who is intact, since 2004, and have only had a UTI or yeast infection while I was pregnant. My husband actually does get soap under his foreskin in the shower, and I believe he has always done that, he always gets all the soap out though.

[skylarsmom08]

Well, I've had the same experience as your friend...the only intact man I was with gave me a minor infection, but he was also the only one I didn't use a condom with (the first and last until my DH).
So, i guess I could form a causal relationship with infection/foreskin, but I think safe-sex has more to do with it than anything. I would say your friend is making a false connection...tell her to wear protection and have her partners tested beforehand--intact or not.